Archive for September 2014

Christian Siriano’s Spring/Summer 2015 line is the answer. I am so happy for the success he’s had since Project Runway (speaking of, how awesome is this season!?). He’s one of my favorite people to follow in Instagram.

Well, it’s officially fall (and we officially suck as bloggers – my goodness!). Last night I made this yummy meal from Martha’s new “One Pot” cookbook. Using only one pot is SO up my alley – I LOVE when Mike makes dinner but I also hate it because that means that I’m on clean up duty . . . which means that I have to clean EVERY SINGLE dish, pan, pot, utensil, that we own. Is that a man thing? Or just my man thing?

I used chicken sausage instead of pork and it’s still missing something . . . maybe more flavorful chicken sausage? Still good enough to post.

In a stockpot, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; cook until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add sausage and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes.

Add sweet potatoes, broth, and water; bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook 3 minutes less than package directions recommend. Reduce to a simmer, add greens, and cook until pasta is tender and greens are wilted, 4 minutes. Serve with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

It is very,very hard to deny one’s green thumb. I am trying to ignore my longings to add some color to the beautiful green grass and trees that I look at in our yard. Look Dara-No COWS!

However, when my earthboxes came to Riverview, I HAD to plant some fresh basil. While at the store selecting herbs, a tomato plant jumped in my cart.

I have not had good experiences growing tomatoes in Florida. It seems that when you move a few hundred miles south from Philadelphia to Tampa, you must adjust growing times and conditions. Jason,my lawn maintenance engineer (what else would you call someone who mows the lawn,trims palm trees and mulches one’s yard with a backhoe?) had a good laugh at my expense when i planted tomatoes in May in the sunniest part of the yard. In Florida one plants tomatoes in the fall in partial shade. After several more failed attempts, I learned to buy tomatoes.

So…I’m giving tomatoes another chance. I think Dad will enjoy watching them grow. My mistake this time? I thought I bought a bush tomato,but this variety grows 7 to 15 feet tall!!!!!!They also produce 1000 tomatoes!!!! Did you notice that the pot that jumped in my cart had TWO plants!!!Perhaps I should go buy some more herbs and research tomato plants before I let a more appropriate tomato jump in my cart.

In my head I have written quite a few blog posts during my absence from BevandDara . Maybe someday I will write to explain “What I did during my summer vacation”. How much easier it is to start writing again with a simple request from you…the best carrot cake recipe.

2 cups sugar

1-1/2 cup oil (this is an old recipe. you could probably cut the oil back to one cup.)

My Facebook is flooded with pictures of the kiddos going back to school. I have no clue how I’ll feel when Julian starts his first day . . . I guess I’ll be sad because he’s growing up but so excited for his new adventure (ask me in another 4 years and I’m sure my tune will change!!!). I was watching the Today show one day and saw Maria Shriver interview this woman named Elle who has a YouTube channel called Whats Up MOMS. I’ve watched a few of their little videos and have fallen in love with them. They’re so funny and easy-going about being a Mom . . . they kind of say what you’re thinking.

Anyway, they did a Back to School video and its hilarious.

Whats even more hilarious is the behind the scenes video. You have to go to the YouTube channel to view that . . . I can’t figure out how to paste it for some reason.